“What Does This Mean?”
Rev. Gregory C. Nettles, 12th Episcopal District Coordinator, Sons of Allen
Acts 2:12- “All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, what does this mean?” (NRSV)
January 2, 2023, 5:58 on the game clock, the world came to its knees. Safety Daran Hamlin was making a routine tackle on Wide Receiver T. Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals. Hamlin completed the job of stopping the receiver. Then, he stood up, took two steps back, and collapsed. No one knew what was happening at the moment. It was later revealed he had cardiac arrest, and CPR had to be administered. The game was suspended and eventually canceled. I ask: “What does this mean?” Later it was discovered the player had a GoFundMe page to raise funds for his Chasing M’s Foundation, which supports toy drives, back-to-school drives, and kid camps. Prior to Monday night, his total was slightly above $2,900. The love, prayers, and financial donations increased. Donations rose to over 8 million dollars. I ask: “What does this mean?”
January 8, 2023, the Buffalo Bills are playing in the first game since the incident on Monday night against the New England Patriots. The opening kick-off is returned 96 yards for a touchdown. The irony of this event; it has been three years and three months since that happened for the Bills. To seal the deal, it happened twice in this game; two kick-offs returned for touchdowns. Josh Allen, the quarterback and captain, when asked his thoughts: “Look at God.” Daman prior wore number 31. He changed his number to three.
The Season of Epiphany begins in January. The focus for the season is on the manifestation of Jesus to the world, the illumination, and revelation of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles. The magi, wise men, followed the star and brought three gifts to honor the Christ child. Very few people knew Damar Hamlin before January 2, 2023, but now he has been revealed to the whole world. The world has heard and seen signs asking people of all races, genders, and religious backgrounds to “Pray for Damar.”
I ask again: “What does this mean?”I wish I could give us a deeply spiritual, theological response. I can only tell you what I have heard from the saints of old, “Won’t He Do It!” Jesus has told us, “ask…receive; seek…find; knock…door opened.” As we march toward April 13, 2023, watch God move when we come together, pray, and let our request be made known. The world was focused on praying for Damar. In contrast, during the same week, the Republican majority Congress of the United States focused on plans, power, and purposeful diabolic decisions to continue obstructiveness attacks. I ask again: “What does this mean?”
It was not a bomb threat or terroristic attack, but it was an athlete who died on the field, and God raised him through the care of dedicated medical staff. Our fore parents said, “He may not come when you want him, but he is always on time.”
In conclusion, Luke 19:41-48 gives us an account of Jesus looking at the city, and he wept because of the impending destruction. He goes into the temple and says the people have made “the house of prayer a den of thieves.” What does this mean? Let us return to a house of prayer on April 13, 2023.
